News Piece (for voice and instruments)

Brittany McConnell and Austin Amaya (click to listen)

Instructions for the singer: Sit on a chair in the middle of the ensemble. After you hear the first note, slowly and deliberately pick up and unfold the newspaper. Any paper may be chosen, but it must be today's edition. Hold up the newspaper and find a phrase that strikes you. Continue to hold the newspaper in front of your face while singing the words as follows. Rhythm/meter and starting pitch are completely up to you; however, you must sing the chosen text on a series of five notes consisting of two intervals of a second. For example, an ascending/descending major/minor second, returning to the starting pitch, followed by a descending/ascending minor/major second, and ending on the original note. After you have finished singing a five-note series, choose another word or phrase. Take your time. You may begin singing each phrase on any pitch. Turn the pages as you wish, but only turn forward; do not go backwards through the paper. Use any dynamic level, vocal style, etc. to express the words you read. Listen and respond to how the ensemble is reacting to what you sing. Repeat this process as long as you wish; the length of the piece is determined by the length of the paper, the performance conditions, and the preference of the performers. When you feel that the piece is finished, stop singing, fold up the paper, and wait for the ensemble to fall silent.

Instructions for instrumentalists: Sit centered around the singer. One pre-selected player should begin the piece by slowly playing a sequence of three notes: a pitch, followed by a perfect 4th or 5th above or below that pitch, then back to the starting pitch. Following the singer's entrance, other members of the ensemble gradually follow suit, overlapping, and independently playing ascending/descending fourths/fifths that start/end on any pitch, in any tempo/meter. Listen carefully. React to the other musicians, and in particular, to the text sung by the vocalist. Do not hesitate to be silent for a moment so that you can listen.When the singer closes the newspaper, take the necessary time to finish the three-note interval sequence you are playing, then put down your instrument. The ending should be definite, but not abrupt.